British Soldier Killed In Helmand Blast

A soldier from 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.

He died on Saturday while travelling in a vehicle in the Nahr-e Saraj region of Helmand Province.

His next of kin have been informed.

Major Ian Lawrence, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It is with great sadness I must inform you that a soldier from 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh has died of wounds sustained in an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) strike while on a mobile patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province.

"The thoughts and prayers of all in the Task Force are with his family and friends at this sad time."

A total of 414 members of UK forces have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.